Sabah Fest fever!

This is what's occupying so much of time these days. Quick details for those not in the know:

WHERE: Magellan Grand Ballroom

WHEN: 3rd & 4th May 2008, Sat and Sun

TIME: 7:00pm

TICKETS : RM 30.00 per night

WHAT: Sabah Fest is an annual cultural extravaganza organised by Sabah Tourism Board and its wholly owned subsidiary Sri Pelancongan Sabah (that's us!) . Entering its 20th year, this is the best time to see an assemblage of Sabah's colourful ethnic groups who will proudly display their culture through song, dance, food, costumes and handicraft.

The 8:00pm concert is a one-hour cultural performance, showing rarely-seen traditional performances including the Igal Tabawan of the East Coast district of Semporna (really cool dance with long metallic fingernails!), the feet-stomping Dansa of the Cocos people and, my favourite, a performance by some 30 children from SK Pangkulian Tambunan called 'Pangkulian'. A Murut-inspired dance, it shows off the many talents of these students who came all the way from Tambunan to entertain you! The highlight this year is the showcase of a mixed-wedding ceremony between a Murut groom and Bajau bride. Of course, there will also be the Magunatip (the bamboo dance of the Murut people), the Sumazau Penampang and Papar, Mongigol Dusun Tindal by the Kota Belud group and many more. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! You can purchase them at Sri Pelancongan in Sinsuran or at Sabah Tourism Board over at Gaya Street. But if you really can't decide now...try your luck at the ballroom ticket counter on either night. Just RM30.00 for a cultural show at its grandest scale held only once a year - I promise you it will be worth every penny!

In the foyer of Magellan's grand ballroom, there will be an ongoing exhibition on handicraft, traditional spa treatments, food, beverage and many other interesting stalls. You can also don a traditional costume and have your photo taken! This will be going on from 10am to 10pm on both days and entrance is FREE.


Oh and on the 5th and 6th of May, the festivities continue at Sabah Museum's Heritage Village. The respective ethnic groups will play host to selected houses, displaying rituals seldom seen such as the Mamahui house-cleansing ritual (Dusun tindal house) and the Bajau Penansang ritual which is performed to heal a sick person. Outside, check out the various fun contests for all to try including bamboo stilt-walking, blowpipe and slingshot competitions. There will also be a cultural show at the main stage at 11:00am and 3:00pm. Entrance fee only RM10.00! The event will take place from 10:00am to 5:00pm on both days so don't miss it :)

So come support our efforts to promote Sabah's melting pot of cultures. I'm off to rehearsals. See you there!